PICTURE QUALITY
NEX: Basic Picture Taking
Here’s an introduction to taking (and playing back) your first pictures, flash photography and Sony’s remarkable Sweep Panorama mode. You’ll learn about the camera’s five flash modes, which include special settings for “fill flash” on a sunny day and dramatic motion streak effects. The video also introduces Sweep Panorama, the amazing Sony function that combines a series of rapid-fire still pictures into one gorgeous panorama.
NEX: Unique Picture Taking
Even in challenging light, Sony helps get the shots you want with extraordinary multi-shot layering. As this video demonstrates, the camera quickly takes a series of up to six shots and the BIONZ® processor combines them for a single image of exceptional clarity. You’ll learn how to take advantage of Handheld Twilight mode for exceptional low light images without tripod or flash. Anti-Motion Blur mode is a similar technique that corrects for camera or subject motion. You’ll see how Auto HDR enables you to capture intense highlights and shadows, with High Dynamic Range processing right in the camera. For moving subjects, Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) is a similar technique that works within a single shot.
NEX: Photography Basics
This video is an excellent introduction to the essentials of camera control. You’ll learn the need for White Balance and see how it affects your picture’s color. Other topics include the metering and bracketing.
NEX: Exposure modes
Here you’ll learn about how the aperture and shutter regulate incoming light. You’ll discover how to use the P/A/S/M modes: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual for added assurance of getting the best shot.
NEX: Composition
To take better pictures, learn to look at the world the way a photographer does. This six-minute video will start you in the right direction, with tips on composition and an explanation of the camera’s Photo Creativity options. Simply moving the subject off-center can change an ordinary snapshot into a more graceful composition. Learn the “rule of thirds” and become aware of “leading lines” in your pictures. Both are powerful tools for better photographs. In addition, the Photo Creativity modes make it easy to take advantage of the camera’s adjustments based on plain-English descriptions like Brightness, Vividness, Color and Background Defocus instead of the technical names Aperture, Shutter Speed and White Balance.
Tips to Capture Better Pictures
To take better pictures, learn to look at the world the way a photographer does. This eight-minute video will start you in the right direction, with tips on composition, lens selection and flash photography. Simply moving the subject off-center, or moving the camera above, below or to the side of your subject can change an ordinary snapshot into a more graceful composition. Learn the “rule of thirds” and become aware of “leading lines” in your pictures. Both are powerful tools for better photographs. While the optical zoom kit lens is a great starting point, the video reveals smart specialized lenses for portrait and extreme close-up (macro) photography. You’ll also learn the basics of available light and added light with flash photography.
Select a Creative Style
Where photographers once chose film stocks to get specific looks, you can enjoy the same flexibility with Creative Styles. Each style optimizes Saturation, Sharpness and Contrast for a given look. Learn to access the Styles and choose from Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night, Sunset and Black-and-White.
Adjusting the Shutter Speed
See how a DSLR shutter actually works and learn the relationship between shutter speed and creative photography. This short video shows how the shutter controls the amount of light that reaches the image sensor and helps establish the creative approach. It also reminds you that slow shutter speeds benefit from steady camera support.
Adjusting the Aperture
Discover what aperture actually is and how to use it to get the shots you want. This video looks inside the lens to show how the diaphragm controls aperture. You’ll learn about F stops and their effect on incoming light. And you’ll see how to put aperture to use in everything from impressive landscape photography to flattering portraits.
How to Protect an Image
To protect an image against accidental erasure, follow the simple steps in this short video.
Select a Focus Mode
Since not all Auto Focus is created equal, learn how to get perfectly focused shots in each situation. There’s Single-Shot AF for still subjects, Continuous AF for moving subjects, Automatic AF for scenes that mix motion and stillness, plus Manual Focus.
Basic Shooting Modes
Take a tour around the Mode dial and learn when to use each of the basic shooting modes. Discover how the camera helps you get the best shot in Auto, Flash Off, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, and Night Portrait/View. Get the inside story on how to match these modes to your needs.
Adjusting the White Balance
Optimize the color rendition using the camera’s White Balance function. This video shows you the effect of incorrect White Balance and teaches you the six presets. You’ll also find out about Auto White Balance and how to create your own Custom setting by pointing the camera at a white sheet of paper.
Advanced Shooting Modes
Advanced controls help separate DSLRs from compact cameras, and learning these controls is easier than you might think. Here’s the perfect introduction to the essentials of Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Metering, White Balance and Focus modes. For each adjustment, the video explains what the available settings are, what they do, and what impact they have on your pictures. Numerous sample pictures help you learn what to expect—and how to get the shots you really want.
Select a Metering Mode
This video explains the purpose of metering, the measurement of scene light, and how to choose the right mode for the perfect exposure. Alpha DSLRs offer three metering modes: Multi-Segment, Center-Weighted and Spot. You’ll see when to use which.
Changing the ISO Setting
Adjusting the camera’s ISO sensitivity can help you get exactly the shot you’re after, even when the available light is not ideal. As this brief video clip explains, raising ISO boosts the camera’s effective sensitivity in low light.